JP2008070954A - Sticker printer with blog use support function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sticker printer by use of a moving image blog. <P>SOLUTION: This sticker printer has: a means in which a blog server issues an ID of a new blog subscriber; a means sending the member ID inputted by a user to the blog server; a means producing and storing signals of a video and voice from an equipped video camera and microphone in a video file; a means receiving an initial blog corresponding to the member ID of the new blog user, and prompting the user to set screen layout of the initial blog and transmit it to the blog server; a means sending a contributed article including setting information of the layout, a comment sentence, and the video file to the blog server; a means receiving a blog designated by the user from the blog server and displaying it; and a means generating a trackback article to a blog of another member, and sending the article and specific information of the blog of the other member to the blog server. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sticker printing apparatus, and more specifically, to a sticker printing apparatus having a function for supporting creation of a blog.

A sticker printing device called “Purikura (registered trademark)” is used by a user to take a photo of their face and print a face photo image with a decorative image imitating a picture frame on the image. Output device. Recent sticker printing devices are connected to networks such as the Internet, and the created face photo images with decorative images are stored in storage resources on the network, and the stored images are stored in other sticker printing devices at a later date. It can also be used for browsing and printing by designated third parties. There is also a sticker printing apparatus that can create a Web page including a photographed image and publish it on the Internet. Note that these sticker printing apparatuses having a network communication function are described in the following patent documents.
JP 2002-82872 A JP 2004-15428 A

  As described above, the sticker printing apparatus is being used as a terminal for creating a Web content such as a homepage by strengthening a network communication function as well as printing a photograph with a decorative image. By the way, in recent years, there is a blog as a service that has rapidly spread as a service using the Internet. As is well known, a blog is a Web site in which articles are updated as needed over time, and the WWW server that provides blog services has been uploaded by users using their browser terminals. It has a function to organize articles and images and post them on a blog. Therefore, a user can post an article on a blog without advanced knowledge or technology such as editing HTML using dedicated application software or a text editor. Blogs also have a feature called trackback that lets you set a link to your blog in an article on another person's blog.

  The inventors of the present invention have created a blog by using a sticker printing apparatus, and have added a function of posting an updated article to the blog or performing a trackback. However, for general blogs that spell articles such as diaries along with still images, if you have a computer with a browser and a digital camera, you can use the blog service without much technical knowledge. We also thought that it was not necessary to use a sticker printing device. However, it is difficult to say that the creation environment for video blogs that post articles containing videos is sufficient for general users. Therefore, the present inventors considered to realize a sticker printing apparatus having a function for supporting use of a moving image blog.

  Certainly, digital video cameras that record and play back video images as digital data are widely used in many homes. However, it is difficult to store video data captured by the video camera as a blog in a storage resource on a network unless you have advanced knowledge about the computer, such as importing video data into a computer and converting it to a predetermined file format. . On the other hand, a sticker printing apparatus takes a face photograph, adds a decoration image, and prints and outputs the image with the decoration image as a sticker, which is operated by a user interface mainly using a touch panel and can be handled by a child.

  By using the sticker printing device as a terminal for using a video blog, the present inventors can easily create a video blog for those who do not have sufficient computer knowledge and technology to browse and track back freely. I thought it was possible. Of course, the conventional sticker printing apparatus does not provide a blog service. And by proposing a blog service that is a new service to users of the old sticker printing apparatus, it can be expected that the number of times the sticker printing apparatus is used increases. Of course, we can expect new users. The present inventors have created the present invention in consideration of such a situation.

The present invention is a sticker printing apparatus for printing out face photo image data created by adding a decoration image to a user's face photo taken with an attached digital camera on sticker paper,
A communication interface, a user interface including a touch panel and a speaker, a video camera, a microphone, an external storage device, and a control unit;
The control means enables communication control processing, user interface control processing, member ID input processing, video file creation processing, blog creation processing, blog posting processing, blog browsing processing, and trackback transmission processing,
The communication control process communicates via a communication interface with a blog server that is connected to a predetermined information communication network and publishes a blog opened by each of a large number of members.
The user interface control process displays a screen on the touch panel, and if there is a predetermined user input during the display of a specific screen, the predetermined screen or sound is displayed on the touch panel or output to a speaker.
In the member ID input process, a login screen including a member ID input field is displayed. If there is a member ID issuance instruction by user input while the screen is displayed, a member ID issuance request is sent to the blog server. If the ID containing the member ID is entered in the input field by the user input while the login screen is displayed, the character string is displayed. Is sent to the blog server as a member ID in a timely manner,
In the video file creation process, when there is a predetermined user input, a captured video signal output from the video camera and an audio signal from the microphone are created in a predetermined format video file and stored in an external storage device.
In the blog creation process, when a member ID issuance request is sent to the blog server by the member ID input process, when there is a blog posting instruction by a user input, the initial blog corresponding to the member ID is obtained and stored, and the initial Display a page decoration screen that allows the user to set the screen appearance of the blog, and when the appearance is set by user input, the appearance information about the appearance is sent to the blog server,
The blog posting process displays a posting screen for allowing a predetermined user to select a video file and input a comment text, and stores a video instruction specified by user input while the screen is displayed. When the specified video file is played back and displayed from the selected video file, and a decision instruction for the specific video file is given, a comment text, the specific video file and appearance information are sent to the blog server,
The blog browsing process sends a blog browsing request to the blog server when there is a browsing instruction for the user's own blog, and displays the returned blog. A blog list return request is sent to, the returned blog list screen is displayed, and if there is user input to specify a specific other blog from the blog list, the other blog will be blog based on the hyperlink Get it from the server and display it,
Trackback transmission processing is a trackback creation function that sends a comment text entry field and information for identifying the other person's blog to the blog server when there is a trackback instruction by user input while the other person's blog is displayed. It has a blog usage support function that displays a screen and sends the character string described in the comment text entry field and specific information of another person's blog to the blog server when there is a predetermined user input while the screen is displayed. The sticker printing device.

  In addition, as a video file creation process, the control means stores video files corresponding to cut video images within a predetermined time for a plurality of cuts up to a predetermined number in an appropriate period starting from a specific user input. In addition, the file creation fact may be displayed on the touch panel at an appropriate time after the expiration of the period, and the user ID may be transferred to the member ID input process when a blog creation instruction is issued for the creation fact. .

  According to the sticker printing apparatus of the present invention, even a person who does not have sufficient knowledge and skills about a computer can easily create a video blog and freely browse or trackback. Further, by proposing a blog service that is a new service to users of the old sticker printing apparatus, the number of times the sticker printing apparatus is used increases. We can expect new users.

=== Configuration of Sticker Printing Apparatus ===
The sticker printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention has a basic function for printing out a still image in which a decorative image is added to a face photograph on a sticker mount, like the conventional sticker printing apparatus. In addition, a blog usage support function for creating a new video blog including a browser function, posting a new article to an existing video blog, and sending trackbacks to other people's blogs (below) Blog function) has been implemented.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a sticker printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a network configuration including the sticker printing apparatus 1. The sticker printing apparatus 1 has two computers, an imaging unit 10 and a working unit 30 that communicate via a predetermined communication interface in an integral housing 2. The photographing unit 10 and the working unit 30 are individually installed in the respective work spaces of the adjacent studio room 3 and graffiti room 4. Each work space (3, 4) is formed by partitioning the inside or outer surface of the housing 1 with a partition or a curtain 5.

  The photographing unit 10 mainly takes a photograph of a user's face and executes processing until the photographed still image data (image data) and moving image data (video data) are transferred to the working unit 30. Built-in functions. The working unit 30 uses a video blog in addition to a basic function as a sticker printing apparatus for performing post-processing on captured image data, such as adding a decoration image to the image data transferred from the imaging unit 10. A function has been implemented.

  The photographing unit 10 and the working unit 30 also have a function of communicating with an external computer via a wide area network such as the Internet or a business operator WAN that manages the sticker printing apparatus 1. In this embodiment, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) 60 using the Internet 50 is a wide area network, and the sticker printing apparatuses 1 in various places are connected to the VPN 51, and the blog server 40 to be communicated with each sticker printing apparatus 1. Is connected. The blog server 40 provides a data storage area for a blog in an accompanying external storage, makes a user registered as a user of the blog service a member, identifies each of a large number of members by a member ID, and for each member ID I manage the blog of the corresponding user. When the blog server 40 receives a posted article including video data from the sticker printing apparatus 1 that has sent the member ID, the blog server 40 posts the article on the corresponding member's blog. In addition, the existing blogs are browsed by the sticker printing apparatuses 1 in various places, and trackbacks for other people's blogs are accepted.

=== Photographing section ===
FIG. 3 shows a functional block configuration of the photographing unit 10. The configuration of the image capturing unit 10 is effectively a computer having a function of recording an image captured by the camera 20 as a digital still image or moving image. The camera 20 is a digital video camera with a built-in microphone and a predetermined communication interface (camera interface: USB, IEEE 1394, etc.). The camera interface converts video / audio data in a predetermined format obtained by encoding captured video and audio input from the microphone. Output via.

  The imaging control unit 11 includes a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM, and controls and controls each component of the imaging unit 10 as a main control unit. The photographing unit 10 includes a hard disk device (HDD) 12 as an external storage. The audio board 13 converts the audio data file stored in the HDD 12 into an analog audio signal based on the control of the imaging control unit 11 and outputs the analog audio signal to the speaker 19.

  The video capture board 20 incorporates the same camera interface as the camera 20, processes the video / audio data from the camera 21, converts it to JPEG format compressed image data if it is a still image, and MPEG2 if it is video and audio. It includes a hardware encoder for converting into compressed and encoded video data such as a format. The camera 21 sequentially transfers uncompressed video / audio data to the video capture board 21 every frame period, and the video capture board 21 captures one frame of image data under the control of the shooting control unit 11 and compresses the compressed image. Data is generated, and video / audio data transferred every frame period is converted into video data.

  In addition to the speaker, the photographing unit 10 includes a touch panel 16 in which a liquid crystal display (LCD) 16a and a touch sensor 16b that outputs a signal corresponding to a position designated by a user's finger or stylus pen are stacked in addition to a speaker. It has. The video board 14 includes a video RAM and a driving circuit for the LCD 16a, converts a bitmap image written while being sequentially updated to the video RAM by the photographing control unit 11 into a video signal for driving the LCD, and drives the LCD 14, The map image is displayed on the LCD 16a.

  Based on the signal output from the touch panel 16b, the I / O interface 15 transfers designated position information indicating where the user has designated on the touch panel 16b to the shadow control unit 11. Then, the imaging control unit 11 recognizes the content of the instruction by the user input based on the image written in the video RAM and the transferred position information, and sends it to the HDD 12 via the video board 14 according to the recognized content. The stored predetermined screen is displayed on the LCD 16 a, a part of the display image on the screen is changed, or a predetermined sound is output to the speaker 19 via the audio board 13.

  The internal communication interface 17 mediates data communication between the working unit 30 and the imaging control unit 11 by a predetermined communication protocol and physical interface (cable or connector standard). The external communication interface 18 is connected to the blog server 40 via the VPN 60 and mediates communication between the blog server 40 and the imaging control unit 11.

  The photographing unit 11 is accompanied by a coin box 23 into which a usage fee is inserted. When a coin is inserted into a coin slot provided in the coin box 22, the type and number of coins are detected by a sensor inside the box 22, and the detection information is transferred to the imaging control unit 11. . When the photographing control unit 11 recognizes that the amount for the usage fee has been input, the photographing control unit 11 uses the sticker printing apparatus 1 for the user.

=== Working part ===
FIG. 4 shows a functional block configuration of the working unit 30. The substantial configuration of the working unit 30 is a computer on which a function for image processing of images and videos taken by the photographing unit 10 and a browser function for using a blog are installed, and a CPU serving as a main control unit, Image processing control unit 31 including RAM and ROM, HDD 32, user interface by touch panel 36 and speaker 39, I / O interface 35, video board 34, audio board 13, internal and external communication interfaces (37, 38) are photographing units. Are the same as the corresponding components (11, 12, 16, 19, 15, 14, 13, 17, 18). The work unit 30 has a built-in printer 40, a configuration related to shooting (20, 21), and a hardware configuration of the shooting unit 10 that does not include the coin box 22 that is a configuration related to charging. Is different.

=== Blog use start ===
FIG. 5 shows a flow of processing related to the blog function in the sticker printing apparatus 1. 6 to 18 show schematic diagrams of screens displayed on the touch panel (16, 36) of the photographing unit 10 and the working unit 30 in the course of the processing. A user of the sticker printing apparatus 1 firstly inserts coins for the usage price from the coin insertion slot provided in the coin box 23 in the studio room 3. When the imaging control unit 11 recognizes that the amount for the usage fee has been paid, the imaging control unit 11 activates user input to the touch panel 16 of the sticker printing apparatus 1 and, for example, a usage start screen for guiding the usage method (FIG. 6). , Symbol 100).

  In the present embodiment, the usage start screen 100 displays a message 101 indicating that the blog usage support function is available in addition to the conventional face photo sticker creation function, and prompts the user to use the blog service. On the use start screen 100, a “use blog” button 102 and a “create sticker” button 103 are arranged. Here, it is assumed that the user uses the blog service, and the “use blog” button 102 on the use start screen 100 is instructed (s1).

  As described above, a blog user in the sticker printing apparatus 1 needs to register his / her member ID in the blog server 40 as a member and establish his / her blog. When the “use blog” button 102 is instructed, the imaging control unit 11 inputs a member registration or a registered member ID and logs in to the blog server (login screen: FIG. 7, reference numeral 110). Is displayed. The login screen 110 is provided with a member ID input field 111, a keyboard 113 for inputting an ID, and a “first time” button 112 for inquiring whether or not it is the first use. Here, it is assumed that the “first time” button 112 is instructed. When there is an instruction to this button 112, the photographing unit control unit 11 communicates with the blog server 40 and sends a new member ID issuance request message. The blog server 40 issues a new member ID based on a serial number or the like, assigns a predetermined storage area to the member ID, and manages the storage area as a member's blog site specified by the member ID. Then, the issued member ID is returned to the sticker printing apparatus 1, and the sticker printing apparatus 1 is logged in to the blog site of the member ID, and the session is managed until logout.

  When receiving the member ID via the external communication interface 18, the imaging control unit 11 displays a screen (FIG. 8: reference numeral 110b) for notifying the member ID issuance (S2 → s5). In this screen 110b, the issued member ID 116 is displayed in the member ID input field 111 of the login screen 110, and a message 117 for guiding the user to remember this ID is included. Then, if the user confirms and memorizes the member ID issued to the user, the “determine” button 114 is instructed. When the shooting control unit 11 accepts an instruction to the button 114, the shooting control unit 11 shifts to a process related to video shooting, and shoots a video for a user to post as a video blog while guiding a shooting work procedure. If the registered member has already issued a member ID, the member ID may be entered in the member ID input field 111 of the previous login screen 110 using the keyboard 113 and the “OK” button 114 may be indicated. . As a result, the member ID is sent to the blog server 40 (s2 → s4). The blog server 40 logs the sticker printing apparatus 1 that has sent the ID into the member's blog site, and causes the sticker printing apparatus 1 to log in. Permit browsing of blog sites and posting of new articles.

=== Video shooting ===
In the video shooting in the present embodiment, a predetermined shootable time is set for one cut, and a moving image can be shot up to a predetermined number of cuts. When transitioning to processing related to video shooting, the shooting control unit 11 displays a recording work screen (FIG. 9: reference numeral 120) for accepting user input related to video shooting on the touch panel. On this screen 120, a guidance message for moving image shooting, a “shooting start” button 121 for starting shooting, a “stop” button 122 for ending shooting, and “next” for ending the shooting operation itself. A “To” button 123 is included. When the “shooting start” button 121 is instructed, the shooting control unit 11 secures a video file storage area in an appropriate storage resource such as the HDD 12 or the RAM. Then, the video data transferred from the video capture board 20 is stored in the video file. When the “stop” button 122 is instructed, video data for one cut is created in a file of a predetermined format and stored in the HDD 12 (s6 → s7, s8 → s9). When the “shooting start” button 121 is instructed again, shooting of the next cut and creation of a file are started. At this time, the recording work screen 120 may display the remaining time during which one cut can be taken, the number of cuts that can be taken, and the like. As for the name of the created file, for example, if the member whose ID is “1234” has finished shooting the second cut, “id1234-2.mpg”, which is a combination of the ID and the number of cuts, etc. You just need to create a file name.

  When the next button is instructed or files for the number of cuts that can be created are created, the shooting control unit 11 transfers the created video file to the working unit 30 and the file is transferred from the HDD 12 of the shooting unit 11 to the file. Is deleted (s10 → s11, s12). Then, a screen 130 including a message (FIG. 10, reference numeral 131) for guiding the user to move to the graffiti room 4 and perform the next work is displayed. When the screen 130 is displayed for a predetermined time, the usage fee is charged. The screen is changed to the initial screen before being input, and the user input to the photographing unit 10 is invalidated. In the usage form of the sticker printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a set of users including one person or companions completes the use of the photographing unit 10 and the working unit 30 and then is used for the next user. I am going to do that. However, it is also conceivable that when the work in the studio room 3 is finished, the next user is allowed to work in the studio room 3. In such a form, the previous user may be working in the graffiti room 4 when the shooting work in the studio room 3 is finished. In such a case, what is necessary is just to display on the touch panel 16 of the imaging | photography part 10 that it waits in the studio room 3 until the previous user complete | finishes operation of the working part 30. FIG. Then, the video file created after the previous user finishes the operation may be transferred to the working unit 30. In addition, since there is a possibility that the previous user is logged in to the blog server, the photographing unit 30 requests the blog server 40 only to issue an ID, and the login procedure involving session management is performed by the previous user. It may be performed when the work at 30 is finished and the previous user logoff is confirmed.

=== Working in the graffiti room ===
In the working unit 30, the work control unit 31 stores the video file transferred from the photographing unit 10 in the HDD 32 and a screen for calling various functions related to the use of the blog (blog menu screen: FIG. 11, reference numeral 140). Is displayed on the touch panel 36. The user moves from the studio room 3 to the graffiti room 4, confirms the blog menu screen 140 displayed on the touch panel 36 of the working unit 30, and designates buttons (141, 142) corresponding to the desired work. Then, various services related to the blog are used while following the instructions on the screens displayed sequentially. Each screen displayed on the touch panel 36 of the work unit 30 is appropriately provided with a “return” button for displaying the previous screen, an “end” button for ending the work in the graffiti room, and logging off. It is installed.

  In this embodiment, regarding the blog, other work cannot be performed when a series of work such as posting a new article or browsing the blog is completed. When other work is performed, the procedure is to start over from the procedure of entering the studio room 3 again and putting the usage fee into the coin box 22 of the photographing unit 10. Of course, the usage mode is not limited to the embodiment, and the usage mode can be set as appropriate, such as allowing a limited time and performing various operations within the time limit.

  Here, it is assumed that a new member performs work for opening his own blog (my page). Therefore, the user needs to set the appearance (title, background color, etc.) of my page. Then, after setting the appearance, input a comment sentence to be posted as an article on My Page or select a video file to be posted.

=== Blog appearance setting ==
The user first instructs the “post” button 141 on the blog menu screen 140. The work control unit 31 accesses the blog server 40 in response to an instruction to the button 141 and returns a blog corresponding to the logged-in member ID (s13 → s14). Here, the blog in the initial state where there is no blog title or posted article is returned as My Page. The work control unit 11 stores the initial My Page in the HDD 32, recognizes that the My Page is in the initial state, and sets a page decoration screen for setting the appearance of the My Page (FIG. 12, reference numeral 150). Is displayed on the touch panel 36. In other words, for a newly created My Page, the user can take a look at the text (name and text to be fixedly displayed in the page), background (background color and background image of the page), frame (posted video image) Thumbnail image frame, thumbnail image background image), etc. On the page decoration screen 150, an initial My Page 151 stored in the HDD 32 is displayed in a predetermined area, and buttons (152 to 154) for designating and setting each of a character, background and frame, A color palette 155 for designating a color such as a background color is also provided. The user instructs the buttons (152 to 154) to be set, and appropriately sets the appearance of my page while confirming the display state of the my page 151 on the same screen 150. Then, if the appearance of my page is determined, the “OK” button 156 is designated (s15 → s16).

=== Selection and posting of video files ===
If the appearance of my page is determined by user input, the work control unit 31 executes article posting processing for uploading a posted article created based on the user input to the blog server (s17). When starting the article posting process, the work control unit 31 causes the touch panel 36 to display a posting work screen (FIG. 13, reference numeral 160) for creating an article to be posted on my page. In the posting work screen 160, a sub-screen 161 for displaying video images, a text input field 162 for comment text, and a file selected from a plurality of video files are decrypted and reproduced and displayed on the sub-screen 161. The screen configuration includes a “next video” button 163, a “decision” button 165 for determining a video image being displayed as a posting target, a keyboard 164 for inputting text, and the like.

  When the posting control screen 160 is displayed, the work control unit 31 decrypts the first created video file and reproduces and displays it on the sub-screen 161. When the “next video” button 163 is designated, The second file created from the HDD 32 is played back, and the playback video image is displayed on the sub-screen 161. In this way, each time the user instructs the “next video” button 163, the video file to be played is displayed on the sub-screen 161 while being sequentially switched in accordance with the creation order. When the “next video” button 163 is instructed while the last created video file is being displayed, the video file is reproduced and displayed back to the first created video file.

  When the “select” button 165 is instructed, the work control unit 31 determines a video file being reproduced at that time as a posting target. Further, when a comment is input using the keyboard 164 and a “decide” button 166 is finally designated, the work control unit 31 displays the posted article in the initial My Page stored in advance. Edit and display on my page (Fig. 14, reference numeral 170). This my page 170 is edited and decorated based on the appearance set on the page decoration screen 150, and includes a thumbnail image 171 extracted from a video file to be posted and a comment sentence 172 inputted with characters. When the user confirms the appearance of the created My Page 170 and the content of the article, the user instructs the “End” button 173. If you want to correct the appearance or article, you can display the previous screen by instructing the "Return" button on each screen (160, 170).

  When the work control unit 31 receives an instruction to the “Finish” button in the created My Page 170, the work control unit 31 sends information specifying the appearance of My Page and a video file or text attached to the My Page to the blog server 40. Send it. The blog server 40 creates a blog having the same screen configuration as that of the My Page 170 displayed on the sticker printing apparatus 1 based on the received information. In addition, a hyperlink (link) to the video file is set in the display area of the thumbnail image 171. Then, this blog is stored in the external memory in association with the corresponding member ID as the user's My Page.

=== Blog update ===
When a member who has already registered my page in the blog server 40 posts a new article again and updates my page, the “post” button 142 on the previous blog menu screen 140 is instructed. In response to this instruction, the work control unit 31 sends a request for sending a My Page to the blog server 40 and obtains a My Page. And since my page is not in an initial state, a screen similar to the screen 170 shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. When the user instructs a “return” button on the screen 170 of My Page, the previous posting work screen 160 is displayed. After the user creates new video data in the photographing unit 10, the user selects a video and inputs a comment according to the procedure described above in the working unit 30, and uploads the updated blog to the blog server 40 ( s13 → s14, s15 → s17). If only the comment text is to be updated, it is only necessary to input the member ID on the login screen at the photographing unit 10, complete the login procedure, move to the graffiti room 4, and operate the working unit 30.

=== Browsing Blog ===
The blog server 40 has a large number of members' My Page. The user can browse the My Page or other member's blog (other person's page) using the sticker printing apparatus 1. Then, a trackback can be performed on the other person's page, or a trackback can be confirmed on the my page.

  When the “Browse” button 142 on the blog menu screen displayed on the touch panel 36 of the working unit 30 is instructed, a browse page selection screen (FIG. 15: reference numeral 180) for selecting a blog is displayed on the touch panel 36. This screen 180 includes a “view my page” button 181 for viewing the user's my page and a “view other person's my page” button 182 for viewing the other person's page. It is out. A person who uses the sticker printing apparatus 1 only for viewing my pages and other people's pages logs in the blog server 40 by inputting his / her member ID at the photographing unit 10 and does not shoot video. Then, the user can end use of the photographing unit 10, move to the graffiti room 4, and indicate the “Browse” button 142 on the blog menu screen 140.

  When browsing his / her own page, the user clicks the “view my page” button 181 on this screen 180. In response to this instruction, the work control unit 31 sends a request for sending a my page to the blog server 40, and the blog server 40 returns a my page corresponding to the logged-in member ID to the sticker printing apparatus 1 for work control. The unit 31 displays this my page on the touch panel 36 (s13 → s19 → s20). FIG. 16 shows an outline of the My Page screen. The My Page screen 170b displays a thumbnail image 171 and comment 172 of the latest video image posted by the user, and an article posted as a trackback on the My Page in the trackback posting area 173 (trackback article). ) Digest 174 is displayed. The trackback article digest 174 includes a thumbnail image of a video image and a part of a comment sentence in the trackback article.

  A link to the corresponding video file is set in the display area of the thumbnail image 171 of the article posted by the user. When the user designates the thumbnail image 171, the posted video file is transferred. The work control unit 31 decodes the video file and reproduces and displays the video image on the entire screen. When the reproduction is completed, the display is returned to the browsing page 170b of the my page.

  A link to the trackback article is set in the character string 174 of “view details” appended to the digest 174 of each trackback article in the trackback posting area 173. When this link is specified, articles posted as trackbacks are displayed.

  When the “view other people's my page” button 182 is instructed on the previous browse page selection screen 180, the work control unit 31 transmits the instruction to the blog server 40. When the blog server 40 receives the instruction, the blog server 40 returns a Web page (blog list page: FIG. 17, reference numeral 190) that lists the digest including the title and the comment of the latest article for the My Page established in itself. (S13 → s19 → s21 → s22). A link to the corresponding other page is set in the digest description portion 181 of each other page of the blog list page 190, and when the user designates an appropriate other page, the corresponding other page is printed as a sticker. It is returned to the device 1 and used for browsing by the user (s23 → s24).

  In order to allow the user to select only blogs that are of interest or interest, for example, the sticker printing apparatus 1 allows the user to create a new My Page with attributes (age, Sex, hobby, residential area, etc.) may also be set. Then, the attribute is associated with the member ID and sent to the blog server 40, and the blog server 40 manages the member ID in association with the My Page. When the blog server 40 receives a browsing instruction for the other person's page from the sticker printing apparatus 1, the blog server 40 returns a Web page to be sent to the blog server by selecting attribute items and setting values. For example, if age is selected as an item on the Web page and 20s is selected as a setting value, the selection information is sent to the blog server 40. The blog server 40 acquires the member ID corresponding to the selection information, writes the blog corresponding to the member ID on the blog list page, and returns it to the sticker printing apparatus 1. Alternatively, an attribute of the user may be acquired based on the member ID of the logged-in user, and blogs about the members set with the same attribute may be described on the blog list page. When setting the attribute, the highest priority item for extracting the blog may be designated. In other words, if age is designated as the highest priority item, a member's page of the same age as the user is extracted to create a blog list page. In this manner, by allowing the user to set his / her attributes, the user can narrow down the other person pages of the same hobby, age, and gender as browsing targets.

=== Trackback ===
The user can track back while browsing the other person's page. FIG. 18 shows a screen outline of the other person's page. The configuration of the other person page 190 is almost the same as the configuration of the My Page (170, 170b). The thumbnail image 191 and comment 192 of the video image in the latest article, the trackback posting area 193 on this other page, A trackback digest 194 is included.

  When the user tracks back to the other person page 190 being browsed, the “track back” button 194 on the other person page 190 is instructed. In response to the instruction to the button 194, the work control unit 31 displays a trackback creation screen (FIG. 19, reference numeral 200) for creating a trackback article. This page 200 has substantially the same configuration as the posted article creation screen 160 shown in FIG. 13 except for the URL entry field 203 of the other person page 190 and the “Send” button 206 for receiving a trackback transmission instruction. A sub screen 201 for reproducing and displaying a video image, a comment text input field 202, a “next video” button 204 for switching a video file to be reproduced, a “select” button 205 for determining a video file to be posted, and the like. include. In this embodiment, the URL of the other person's page is acquired, and the trackback creation screen 200 is displayed with the URL entered in the input field.

  When a user inputs a comment text on the track back creation screen 200, selects a video file of a video image, and designates a "Send" button 206, the URL and comment entered in the respective input fields (203, 202). The sentence and the video file are sent to the blog server 40 (s25 → s26). The blog server 40 creates a web page to be a trackback article based on the sent video file, the comment text, and the appearance of the my page corresponding to the logged-in member ID, and is logging in the web page. Store in association with the member ID. Also, based on the URL of the other person page sent, the digest of the track article created in the track back posting area of the other person page is posted and a link to the track back article is set.

=== Formation of groups ===
There are blogs called “groups” and “communities” that allow only those with specific hobbies to publish. The sticker printing apparatus of the present invention also creates such a blog (hereinafter referred to as a group page), and permits browsing and posting only to members registered as members of the group.

  For example, a group may be automatically generated for a specific attribute item. If the item is a hobby, a group in which only members who set the same hobby as an attribute can participate is generated. Alternatively, a group page may be generated with my pages having the same appearance (for example, background color or background image) as a group. When a group is created, the posted article is registered on the group page where it participates in addition to the My Page.

  It may be possible to create a blog (special group page) that permits browsing and posting only to a more personal group (special group) such as friends who know each other's member ID. For example, a button for setting a special group is arranged on the blog menu screen, and when this button is designated, a screen for registering the ID of the participant of the special group (reference numeral 210 in FIG. 20). Is displayed. Then, the registered ID is sent to the blog server, and the blog server generates a group page based on the member ID.

=== Making video creation function ===
In the above embodiment, the user has taken a video image to be posted on the blog at his request. In addition to this example, video recording of the gesture of the user who entered the studio room 3 in order to create a facial photo sticker, and at the appropriate time before moving to the graffiti room 4, the shooting facts were communicated until then. You may make it guide | invade that the video image image | photographed in can be made into a blog.

  For example, from the time when coins are inserted into the coin box 22, the studio room 3 starts until a face photograph is taken to create a sticker and a decoration image or the like is added in the graffiti room 4. The user is photographed by the camera 22 to create a video file for a plurality of cuts.

  And when you have finished creating all the video files that you want to create, you will be notified of the fact of video shooting, and you will be able to post a video video (making video) that captures the process of creating a face photo sticker as a video blog. invite. If the posting is accepted, the working unit 30 shifts to the above-described blog creation and posting work instead of the decoration image adding work to the face photograph. In this way, by making a shooting video and posting it, the user's natural gestures and happenings in the studio room 3 can be posted on my page, and the sticker printing device 1 can use the blog service. Motivation to see is born to users. In addition, once a My Page is created, it is expected that the user will regularly use the sticker printing device in order to browse the My Page of others and others, post new articles, and track back.

1 is an external view of a sticker printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a network block diagram including the said sticker printing apparatus. It is a functional block diagram of the imaging | photography part which comprises the said sticker printing apparatus. It is a functional block diagram of the operation | work part which comprises the said sticker printing apparatus. It is a flowchart of the process regarding the blog utilization assistance function mounted in the said sticker printing apparatus. It is the schematic of the utilization start screen displayed on the touchscreen of the said imaging | photography part. It is the schematic of the login screen displayed on the touchscreen of the said imaging | photography part. It is the schematic of the said login screen in the state where member ID was displayed. It is the schematic of the video recording work screen displayed on the touchscreen of the said imaging | photography part. It is the screen schematic for guiding the completion | finish of work in the said imaging | photography part. It is the schematic of the blog menu screen displayed on the touch panel of the said working part. It is the schematic of the page decoration screen displayed on the touch panel of the said working part. It is the schematic of the contribution article creation screen displayed on the touch panel of the said work part. It is the schematic of the my page screen displayed on the touch panel of the said working part. It is the schematic of the browsing page selection screen displayed on the touch panel of the said working part. It is the schematic of the said my page screen containing the digest of a trackback article. It is the schematic of the blog list screen displayed on the touch panel of the said working part. It is the screen schematic of the other person page displayed on the touch panel of the said work part. It is the schematic of the track back creation screen displayed on the touch panel of the said working part. It is the schematic of the special group setting screen which the sticker printing apparatus in the other Example of this invention displays.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sticker printing apparatus 3 Studio room 4 Graffiti room 10 Shooting part 11 Shooting control part 12, 32 Hard disk drive 16, 36 Touch panel 20 Video capture board 21 Camera 30 Working part 40 Blog server

Claims (2)

A sticker printing apparatus that prints face image data created by adding a decoration image to a user's face photograph taken with an attached digital camera on sticker paper,
A communication interface, a user interface including a touch panel and a speaker, a video camera, a microphone, an external storage device, and a control unit;
The control means enables communication control processing, user interface control processing, member ID input processing, video file creation processing, blog creation processing, blog posting processing, blog browsing processing, and trackback transmission processing,
The communication control process communicates via a communication interface with a blog server that is connected to a predetermined information communication network and publishes a blog opened by each of a large number of members.
The user interface control process displays a screen on the touch panel, and if there is a predetermined user input during the display of a specific screen, the predetermined screen or sound is displayed on the touch panel or output to a speaker.
In the member ID input process, a login screen including a member ID input field is displayed. If there is a member ID issuance instruction by user input while the screen is displayed, a member ID issuance request is sent to the blog server. If the ID containing the member ID is entered in the input field by the user input while the login screen is displayed, the character string is displayed. Is sent to the blog server as a member ID in a timely manner,
In the video file creation process, when there is a predetermined user input, a captured video signal output from the video camera and an audio signal from the microphone are created in a predetermined format video file and stored in an external storage device.
In the blog creation process, when a member ID issuance request is sent to the blog server by the member ID input process, when there is a blog posting instruction by a user input, the initial blog corresponding to the member ID is obtained and stored, and the initial Display a page decoration screen that allows the user to set the screen appearance of the blog, and when the appearance is set by user input, the appearance information about the appearance is sent to the blog server,
The blog posting process displays a posting screen for allowing a predetermined user to select a video file and input a comment text, and stores a video instruction specified by user input while the screen is displayed. When the specified video file is played back and displayed from the selected video file, and a decision instruction for the specific video file is given, a comment text, the specific video file and appearance information are sent to the blog server,
The blog browsing process sends a blog browsing request to the blog server when there is a browsing instruction for the user's own blog, and displays the returned blog. A blog list return request is sent to, the returned blog list screen is displayed, and if there is user input to specify a specific other blog from the blog list, the other blog will be blog based on the hyperlink Get it from the server and display it,
Trackback transmission processing is a trackback creation function that sends a comment text entry field and information for identifying the other person's blog to the blog server when there is a trackback instruction by user input while the other person's blog is displayed. A blog that displays a screen and sends a character string written in the input field of the comment text and specific information of another person's blog to the blog server when there is a predetermined user input while the screen is displayed. Sticker printing device with usage support function.   2. The control means according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes a plurality of video files corresponding to cut videos within a predetermined time within a predetermined period starting from a time when a specific user input is made as a video file creation process, up to a predetermined number. The cut creation is stored, and the creation fact of the file is displayed and output on the touch panel at an appropriate time after the expiration of the period, and when there is a blog creation instruction for the creation fact by the user input, the process proceeds to the member ID input processing A sticker printing apparatus having a blog use support function characterized by the above.